Movie Review: The Thin Man (1934)

The Thin Man (1934) directed by W. S. Van Dyke from the novel by Dashiell Hammett

Clyde Wynant (Edward Ellis) is an absent-minded inventor who is a bit cantankerous to a lot of people, including his ex-wife and his lab assistant. He dotes on his daughter Dorothy (Maureen O'Sullivan) who is about to get married. Clyde barely remembers her beau but is happy for them both. He sets off for a trip, promising to be home in time for the marriage. He doesn't show up, worrying Dorothy. She runs into an old friend, Nick Charles (William Powell), at a bar. Nick was a detective, and quite good at it, but he left the force when he married Nora (Myrna Loy), who happened to come with a lot of business ventures. They are now a nouveau riche couple who spend most of their time drinking and socializing. Nora wants him to help with the mystery, especially when Wynant's chiseling girlfriend turns up dead and the evidence points to Clyde as the murderer. Nick says he does not want to be a detective again but winds up asking around and figuring out the situation.

The mystery is a convoluted conspiracy involving lawyers, organized crime figures, and some ex-cons that Nick put away years ago. This is a Dashiell Hammett plot, after all. The puzzle is interesting enough but the movie really shines with the witty dialogue (these are Dashiell Hammett characters, after all) and great performances by Powell and Loy. They make a great couple, even when they are on the sauce, and have the sort of quick one-liners a viewer would expect from the best screwball comedies. Nick's casual and carefree attitude belie his quick thinking and handling of difficult situations. Nora makes a great foil to him and their playful relationship is charming. The film is so much fun, it is easy to see how it spawned a string of sequels.

Highly recommended!